Kieran Maguire issues ‘massive’ claim as Newcastle United hit by ‘messy’ lawsuit
Newcastle United will be desperately looking for an appropriate response to the “messy” LIV Golf court case ongoing in the United States.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the contradictory nature of Newcastle’s Saudi ownership and the LIV Golf case.
Saudi Arabia-backed PIF completed a £305million takeover of Newcastle in 2021 after the Premier League were reassured that the government in Saudi would not have any control over the Premier League club.
Newcastle have continued to insist that the club stand isolated from the Saudi regime, but their claims are contradicted by the latest news from the LIV Golf court case in the United States.
The breakaway golf tour is also backed by the Saudi Arabia-funded PIF and is being sued by the PGA Tour regarding the banning of players that leave to join the new competition.
But LIV have since filed documents arguing that Newcastle Chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan is a sitting member of the Saudi government and should therefore be granted diplomatic immunity in the trial.
Maguire believes the situation needs to be addressed legally as it has become an area of “cloudiness” for Newcastle.
“The LIV Golf court case suggests the Saudi authorities want to have their cake and eat it,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“It is understandable from their perspective in terms of wanting to be deemed to be part of a government institution and claiming diplomatic immunity.
“But when it comes to Newcastle and the Premier League they want to appear independent.
“It’s a messy situation and one that will need some form of legal redress.
“I’m sure Newcastle will be trying to discover an appropriate response.
“There’s no doubt that the owners have made a massive impact in terms of success on the pitch, but this is an area of cloudiness which needs resolving.“
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